Chairman of the Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid,
presented key points in his education plan in a press conference Sunday. Other than specific points, such as more power for teachers
and principals and less politics in education, Lapid's plan included a "decade of education," by which the State of Israel
will put education as a top priority.

In order to supervise all pedagogical transitions, Lapid called to establish a national council of education. "The fundamental change in the education system will redefine responsibilities and empower the State as the education policy maker and supervisor," he said.

According to Lapid, "The curriculum, determined by the national council of education, will instill values we believe students of the Israeli education system should learn," both inside and outside the classroom.

Lapid announced he wanted to rearrange the education budget so as to decrease social gaps and accommodate students with special needs, economic and otherwise, in a way that complies with OECD
standards.

The Yesh Atid leader further urged the need to empower school principals and teachers. "Part of the plan would be to increase teachers' salaries in accordance with market wages."

As for the matriculation exams, Lapid said: "The madness must end. Students should take maths, English, reading comprehension and a fourth subject of their choice. This doesn’t mean they won't have a grade in literature, physics, or biology. They will have a complete matriculation certificate (Te'udat Bagrut), but most grades will be given by the school, not state exams."

Regarding his vision for Israeli education, Lapid stated: "Education should be a unifying factor. A school that does not accept an Ethiopian
girl into its classrooms should not be opened; and a high school principal that expels students just to raise his school's level should know he is risking losing his job."